In October 2001, Rockstar Games released Grand Theft Auto III, a game that revolutionized the world of open-world gaming. Even after 20 years, the impact and influence of GTA III are undeniable. It set a blueprint for immersive and expansive open-world experiences that the game industry continues to follow to this day.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the game, we had the opportunity to interview Aaron Garbut, the art director at Rockstar North. Aaron has been part of Rockstar since 1996 and has contributed to the creation of iconic games like Grand Theft Auto III, the Red Dead Redemption series, Max Payne 3, and L.A. Noire.
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Evolution of Technology and Building a World
When asked about the evolution of technology that made GTA III possible, Aaron explained that the game was built from the ground up by a new team in a new studio. They were driven by the excitement of newer consoles and the goal of creating an immersive 3D world. The team’s focus was on building an open and lively world that offered players the freedom to explore and play. While they designed narrative and game flow structures to provide guidance, their primary goal was to create a sense of openness and player freedom.
Building such a world came with technical challenges, like creating a diverse and large urban environment and ensuring seamless streaming to achieve the desired variation and scale. Additionally, they aimed to make the world feel alive even when players were on missions or causing chaos. This required developing solid systems that could scale in complexity. Ultimately, the team designed a world based on what they wanted to play themselves and figured out how to bring their vision to life.
Early Iterations and the Birth of GTA III
In the early days of GTA III’s development, the team at DMA Design (which later became Rockstar North) had the opportunity to prototype and experiment with ideas. They had access to Dreamcast devkits and began creating blocks of a city with various areas. They added characters walking the streets and cars driving around to create a lively environment.
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During this time, they had conversations with the original GTA code team about bringing GTA into the realm of 3D gaming. While some dismissed the idea as too complex, the team at DMA Design was determined to make it happen. They redirected their efforts towards making GTA a fully 3D experience, which aligned with Sam Houser’s (co-founder of Rockstar Games) vision. The team quickly found themselves in sync and continued on the path they started, which led to the birth of GTA III.
The Legacy of GTA III
When asked about the overall legacy of GTA III after 20 years, Aaron believes that the game offered a glimpse into what was possible in open-world gaming. It showcased that games could focus more on the player than the designer, creating worlds filled with diversity, granularity, and complexity. GTA III encouraged developers to think beyond traditional levels and embrace cohesive spaces with lifelike characters. The game allowed players to explore and interact with the world, providing toys, tools, and a sense of place.
GTA III’s legacy extends beyond its gameplay mechanics. It inspired the industry to push boundaries and continue evolving towards more immersive and expansive experiences. Rockstar North sees GTA III as a groundbreaking game that set the template for how they approach game development and continues to influence their work to this day.
The Reflections of a Developer
Reflecting on working on a game that has had such a significant impact on pop culture, Aaron acknowledges the sheer enjoyment and fulfillment he finds in creating immersive, expansive, and diverse games. He and the team at Rockstar North are constantly motivated to push further and create something even better with each new project they undertake. While seeing their work become a part of popular culture is mind-blowing, their focus remains on making games they find cool and that resonate with players.
In conclusion, Grand Theft Auto III, released 20 years ago, laid the foundation for open-world gaming as we know it today. Its impact on the industry is still felt, and its legacy continues to shape game development. Rockstar North, the studio behind GTA III, cherishes the experience and lessons learned from creating the game and remains committed to pushing the boundaries of immersive and expansive gameplay experiences.
Q: How did Rockstar Games evolve its technology to create Grand Theft Auto III?
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A: Grand Theft Auto III was a result of a new team in a new studio, driven by the potential of newer consoles and the desire to create an immersive 3D world. They built the game from scratch, focusing on building an open and lively world that offered players freedom and flexibility.
Q: What were some of the earliest iterations or prototypes of GTA III?
A: During the early days of development, the team at DMA Design experimented with blocks of a city, adding characters and vehicles to create a lively environment. They had conversations with the original GTA code team about bringing the game into the world of 3D gaming, ultimately deciding to redirect their efforts towards making GTA a fully 3D experience.
Q: What is the overall legacy of GTA III after 20 years?
A: GTA III offered a glimpse into what was possible in open-world gaming. It showed that games could focus on the player, creating diverse and complex worlds where players could interact and explore. The game inspired developers to think beyond traditional levels and build cohesive spaces with lifelike characters. GTA III’s legacy can be seen in the continuous evolution of immersive and expansive gaming experiences.
Grand Theft Auto III’s 20th anniversary is a testament to its lasting impact on the gaming industry. The game’s innovative approach to open-world gameplay and its immersive world-building have shaped the way we experience games today. Rockstar Games, with GTA III as a cornerstone, continues to push the boundaries of game development, creating engaging and memorable experiences for players worldwide. To learn more about Rockstar Games and their incredible portfolio, visit Wqaindia.
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